Stringed musical instrument



C. DARMIS.

STRiNGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATIQN FILED FEB. 13,1920.

6 O W N M I a U 9 v H Wu Nw d5 6 t n w a C. DARMIS.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT,

APPLICATION FILED FEB.I3.1920.

1 360,729. I Patented Nov. 30, 1920 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

g wue'n 0% 00.15% flan/air 0. DARMIS.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1920.

1 60,729, Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

7,? I j'nmcwfor W itlllm 0.2mm Jar/7m C. DARNHS.

S'I'RlNGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13.1920

1,360,729. Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

5 SHEETSSHEET- 4- C. DARMIS. STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED m4. 13. I920.

1,360,729. Patented N0v.30,1920.-

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

COSSMAS DABMIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STRING-ED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented NOV. 30, 1920- Application filed February 13, 1920. Serial No. 358,340.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CossMAs DABMIS, a subject of the King of Greece, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stringed Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument which can be played in the same manner as a piano from a manual or keyboard and which will simultaneously produce tones of various characters resembling somewhat in effect the concerted playing of certain well known stringed instruments.

Another object'is to so construct my improved musical instrument that if desired certain of the parts can be moved so as to silence various instrumentalities; permitting others of the instrumentalities to continue in operation so as to produce various musical. combinations.

Another object is to make my improved instrument of such construction that the various parts can be readily tuned and will not easily get out of order.

A further object is to so construct my invention that it can be readily inclosed within a cabinet so as to give the appearance of a piano.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which' Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved instrument showing how the same can be arranged in a cabinet; the cabinet being arranged in dot-and-dash lines,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1,

Fi 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 44 of Fi 2,

Fig. 5 is a Eragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of certain of thefeatures o my invention,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the string actuating elements includingmeans for applying rosin to bow cords wh ch perate in conjunction with certain strings to produce tones similar to a violin while others of the parts operate upon'various series of strings to produce tones having the mus cal effect of a mandolin and guitar,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of a number of actuating elements which form a part of my invention,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of a number of finger operated keys which form a part of my invention; the key being inverted, and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a different character of key, similar to the black keys of a piano.

Referring to the drawings, 11 represents a main supporting frame which may be made of wood including inclined end struts 12 and horizontal end struts 13. The inclined end struts 12 at opposite ends of the frame 11 are at different levels as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and three beams 14, 15 and 16 have their opposite ends respectively connected to the struts 12 and extend at an incline in the direction of the width of the main supporting frame as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A bar 17 has its opposite ends connected to the horizontal end struts 13. A plate 18 is clamped to the bar 17 by bolts 19, and rear flexible resilient suspension rods 20 have their upper end portions clamped between the plate 18 and bar 17 by the bolts 19. A number of the suspension rods 20 are spaced apart within the width of the frame 11 and at their bottom ends are secured respectively to actuators 21 at positions slightly forward of the ends 22 of said actuators. The actuators 21 are elongated and extend in the direction of the depth of the main frame 11. The forward end portions of the actuators are respectively connected to the bottom ends of forwardly positioned resilient suspension rods 23; said suspension rods 23 being connected adjacent their tops between a bar 24 which is secured to the frame 11 and a plate 25 which is connected to the bar 24 by bolts 26. It will be noted that by the above construction the actuators 21 can be moved in the direction of their lengths; the suspension rods 20 and 23 flexing to permit of such movement of the actuators.

A. series of levers 27 are pivotally mounted between their opposite ends 28 and 29 on a pivot rod 30; said pivot rod being supported in the frame 21 forward of the suspension rods 23. The ends 28 of the levers 2-7 are respectively connected by links 31 to the keys 32 and 33; said keys 32 and 33 being preferably arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and The keys 32 and 33 which are shown in detail in Figs. 9 and l0 are'pivotally connected to a rod 34 supported in the frame 11. The lower ends 29 of the levers 27 have V-shape notches 35 through which the suspension rods 23 extend, as shown in Fig. 4. The rods 23 normally tend to hold the levers 27 in their full line positions as shown in Fig. 4 and thereby keep the keys 22 and 23 in their raised and normal positions. However when any one of the keys is depressed its link 28 will move the respective lever 27 on the rod as a pivot and the end 29 of said lever will operate to flex the suspension rod 23 which is extending through its notch and thereby move the connected actuator 21 rearwardly, in other words, from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 to the position shown in dot-anddash lines in said latter figure.

A plurality of wires 36, which can be of the construction and arrangement usually employed on violins, have their upper ends secured to pins 3? which are rotatably mounted in the beam 14; the pins being spaced apart and at various heights from the bottom of the frame 11. The lower ends of the wires 36 are wrapped around a, rail 38 and connected to pins 39 which are rotatably mounted in said rail and by turning the pins 37 or 39, the wires 36 can be stretched so as to produce various tones when; vibrated. In like manner a plurality of wires 40 have their upper ends secured to pins 41 which are rotatably mounted in the beam 15 and the lower ends of said wires 40 are wrapped around a rail 42 and connected to pins 43 which are rotatably mounted in said rail These wires 40 may be of the character which are used upon a guitar. A third series of wires 44 which may be of the character employed upon a mandolin have their upper ends connected to pins 45 which are rotatably mounted in the beam 16; the lower ends of said wires 44 being wrapped around. a rail 46 and connected to pins 47 which are rotatably mounted in said rail 46. The wires 36. 40 and 44 are spaced apart so that the actuators 21 will be positioned between them. Each of the actuators has two series 48 and 49 of pickers which are secured to the actuator so as to be normally positioned in front of the respective series of wires 40 and 44. Furthermore each of the actuators 41 has its forward portion increased in thickness so as to provide an arch 50, and cords 51 are looped through holes 52 then passed over the arched portion and then secured to a tightening key rod 53.

A rail 54 has upright fingers 55 each pro vided with a piece of rosin 56 for engagement with the cords 51 when the actuators are in their normal positions so that when the actuators are i moved lengthwise, the cords 51 will rub against the rosin 56 and will be coated with the rosin for the purpose of engaging and vibrating the respective wires 36. The pickers 48 and 49 are preferably made of small pieces of celluloid or other flexible resilient material so that when the actuators are moved rearwardly, the pickers 48 will engage and vibrate the wires 40 and the pickers 49 will engage and vibrate the wires 44. The rails 38, 42 and 46 are slidably mounted in the base 57 of the frame 11 and have toothed racks 58, 59 and 60 respectively secured thereto. Pinions 61, 62 and 63 respectively mesh with the racks 53. 59 and 60 and are connected to silencing rods 64, 65 and 66 which are rotatably mounted in a housing 67 secured to the end of the frame 11. Knobs 68 are provided on the ends of the silencing rods so that by turning the rods the respective rails will be moved so as to move any of the series of strings 36, 40 or 44 out of engaging alincment with the actuators.

A wedge shape or tapered frame 69 is slidably mounted in the rear of the main supporting frame 11 and has a series of wires 70 secured thereto by rotatable pins '71; said wires being of various lengths so that when struck they will produce various tones. These wires 70 are normally in line with the ends 22 of the respective actuators and said ends 22 serve as hammers for engaging and vibrating the respective wires 70 when the actuators are moved rearwardly in the direction of their length as above described. Thus a tone substantially similar to the tone of a Xylophone is produced. It will be noted that all of the various wires can be tuned to produce harmonious or unison effects when the keys are manually operated. The frame 69 has a toothed rack 72 thereon for engagement with a toothed pinion 73 on another silencing rod 74 so that by turning the rod 74 by means of its knob 68. the frame 69 and its wires 70 will be moved out of engaging alinement with the hammer ends 22 of the actuators.

In the drawings I have illustrated a comparatively few of the elements. However, it will be noted that any number of actuating members can be used and the instrument can be extended to any width desired.

lVhile I have described my invention as taking a particular form it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth. but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

rgaeam Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of series of wires, the wires of the respective series when vibrated producing tones of different characters; flexible suspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and having parts thereon for engagement with wires of each series; and keys having portions for flexing V said suspension rods whereby the actuators are moved to vibrate said wires; substantially as described.

2. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of series oi wires, the wires of the respective series when vibrated producing tones of different characters; flexiblesuspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and having parts thereon for engagement with wires of each series; keys having portions for flexing said suspension rods whereby the actuators are moved to vibrate said wires; and means for independently moving the respective series of wires out of position so as not to be engaged by said actuators: substantially as described.

3. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of series of' wires; flexible suspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and having parts thereon for engagement I with wires of each series; pivotally mounted levers for engagement with said suspending rods; and keys movably connected to said levers whereby when the keys are moved, the levers will be swung to flex said suspending rods and thereby move said actuators; substantially as described.

4. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of series of wires; flexible suspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and having parts thereon for engagement with wires of each series; and means for moving any of said series of wires out of the paths of said parts of the actuators; sub stantially as described.

5. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including rails; a plurality of series of wires connected to said rails; flexible suspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and hav ing parts thereon for engagement with wires of each series; and means for sliding said rails whereby the wires are moved out of engagement with said parts of the actuators; substantially as described.

6. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including slidably mounted rails having toothed racks; a plurality of series of wires connected to said rails; flexible suspending rods; actuators connected to said suspending rods and having parts thereon for engagement with wires of each series; pinions' in engagement with the racks of said rails; and rods connected to said pinions whereby when said latter rods are rotated, the rails will be slid to move the wires out of the paths of said parts of the actuators; substantially as described.

7. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of flexible suspended actuators; a tapered frame having wires connected thereto, said wires being normally in alinement with said actuators; and means for moving said actuators to strike said wires; substantially as described.

8. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a series of wires; flexible suspension members; actua tors on said suspension members for engagement with said wires; and means for engagement with the suspension members whereby the suspension members are moved to swing the actuators so as to cause engagement of said actuators with the wires; substantially as described.

9. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a series of wires; flexible suspension members; actuators on said suspension members for engage ment with said wires; and means for engagement with the suspension members whereby the suspension members are moved, to swing the actuators so as to cause engagement of said actuators with the wires, said means including levers having notches through which said suspension' members pass; substantially as described.

10. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a series of wires; flexible suspension members; actuators on said suspension members for engagement with said wires; means for engagement with the suspension members where by the suspension members are moved to swing the actuators so as to cause engage-- ment of said actuators with the wires, said means including levers having notches through which said suspension members pass; and operating keys connected to said levers; substantially as described.

11. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a plurality of wires actuators having cords thereon which when the actuators are moved, will engage and vibrate said wires; and friction material located adjacent said cords whereby a portion of said material will be wiped upon said cords during the movement of said actuators; substantially as described.

' 12. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including a series of wires; flexible suspension means; actuators suspended on said suspension means; cords attached to said actuators extending in the direction of the length of said actuators and transversely to said wires; and means for swinging said suspension means whereby the actuators will be swung so as to move said cords into engagement with said wires; substantially as described.

13. A stringed musical instrument of the character described including actuators having holes therein; cords looped through said holes; means on said actuators for tightening said cords; a series of wires; and means for moving said actuators whereby said cords are moved into engagement with the wires to Vibrate the latter; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 15 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

COSSMAS DARMIS.

Witnesses:

ANNA BENTON, CHAS. E. PoTTs. 

